0 occupancy vs 1 occupancy

JoJoMacQueen

Hello!

Hoping for some advice. I moved to Devon from Hastings and while I was selling my flat I had to pay council tax in both Devon and Hastings. I told Hastings council that I wasn't living there and then when the sale finally went through I got a bill reclaiming the single occupancy discount! Is this right? I can't see how 0 occupancy can be more expensive than 1 occupancy! And if I hadn't told them I had moved out they wouldn't have known and charged me more!
Has anyone else experienced this and know if I can contest it?

Would be grateful for any advice

mjm3346

"Most unoccupied properties attract a full council tax charge, whether furnished or not."

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-exemptions/empty-secondhomes/



" And if I hadn't told them I had moved out they wouldn't have known and charged me more!"  - They would have know with a new occupier.

lincroft1710

"Single Person Discount" is exactly what it says, discount because there is only one person living there. There is no SPD for unoccupied property.

CIS

JoJoMacQueen said:

Hello!

Hoping for some advice. I moved to Devon from Hastings and while I was selling my flat I had to pay council tax in both Devon and Hastings. I told Hastings council that I wasn't living there and then when the sale finally went through I got a bill reclaiming the single occupancy discount! Is this right? I can't see how 0 occupancy can be more expensive than 1 occupancy! And if I hadn't told them I had moved out they wouldn't have known and charged me more!
Has anyone else experienced this and know if I can contest it?

Would be grateful for any advice

No, you can't.

A single occupancy discount only applies where there is a resident. In this case there was no resident.